Manitou 27 X-Plode SRW SHP

You might remember the days when pontoon boats were relegated to service as simple party barges — only good for poking around your local lake or river, maybe for happy hour or perhaps to take the kids on a fun-filled cruise.

You might remember the days when pontoon boats were relegated to service as simple party barges — only good for poking around your local lake or river, maybe for happy hour or perhaps to take the kids on a fun-filled cruise.

 Well, a lot has changed in the last five to seven years. New pontoon tube technology and two- and four-stroke outboard advancements means pontoons can be true speed demons. The Manitou 27 X-Plode SRW SHP is a good example of one such boat that’s changing the pontoon game.

Light the rockets on the 27 X-Plode SRW SHP — a pair of 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 two-stroke outboards — and you’ll soon be blasting across the water around 60 mph at top-end. That’s fast for any boat. There is a special set of three tubes under the deck that help make that happen; they’re part of Manitou’s Sport Handling Package, or “SHP” for short. According to the company, the SHP tubes have positive angle lifting strakes and a Barracuda nosecone design. This allows the boat to perform and handle at high speeds.

Inside the deck fencing is Manitou’s SRW deck package, which is a lounge-heavy deck plan, featuring a lot of comfy chaise seating covered in buttery, rich-feeling vinyl. Two chaise lounges sit in the bow and can also be used as casual sit-up seating. Two aft-facing chaises lie on both sides of the stern. Between them are twin swiveling captain’s chairs: One at the helm and one adjacent to it for companion seating. A wraparound windshield provides security and adds protection from spray, rain and the hair-blowing wind you’ll feel at top speed. An optional sport arch with Bimini further enhances the protection in this area and adds a pylon for towing skiers, wakeboarders and other watersport enthusiasts.  

“The X-Plode SRW SHP dual engine with our patented V-Toon® Technology hull provides a ride unlike anything else in the pontoon market,” says Greg VanWagenen with Triton Industries. “This boat jumps out of the hole and responds like a runabout to every twist and turn. Add the optional sport arch and JL audio system to complete the already sporty look and feel.” 

Dealers
Hall’s Sports Center
Muskegon, MI; Grand Rapids, MI; Grand Haven, MI
hallssportcenter.com
231-733-2433

Munson Marine
Fox Lake, IL
munsonmarine.com
847-587-4902